Month: May 2012

The June 2012 issue of Vette Magazine has a great story on Callaway Cars’ latest contribution to the High Mile Club.  Most of the words that follow are those of Walt Thurn.  The entire article can be accessed here.

Callaway Cars‘ specific purpose for buying this 2010 Grand Sport 3LT Coupe on July 9, 2009 was to perform a long-term durability test. “Callaway technicians began by adding the SC606 Package ($21,395), which included an Eaton TVS2300 Supercharger with a liquid-to-air intercooler, high-flow injectors, and upgrades to the fuel system. A Callaway ‘Honker’ air intake and ‘Double D’ stainless exhaust were also installed. The package was completed with a carbon-fiber hood bulge, embroidered Callaway floor and trunk mats, anodized doorsill panels, an SC606 dash plaque, an underhood plaque with specific VIN, and Callaway emblems for the fenders and rear fascia.

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“On September 22, 2009, Callaway handed the car over to Corvette Program Manager Chris Chessnoe (shown here). The plan was for Chessnoe to drive the GS to dealerships around the country (and beyond) in an effort to expand Callaway’s distribution network. It must have worked, because the company now has 29 North American dealers (27 in the U.S. and two in Canada). Customers can order and take delivery of their new Callaway vehicles directly through this dealer network,” including Michigan franchisee George Matick Chevrolet.

“During 2010 a short-throw shifter ($490) and a Callaway/Eibach suspension system ($5,790) were added to the test car. Callaway also installed a prototype brake package for durability testing. By the end of 2010, the car had accumulated more than 60,000 miles with no reported problems.

“When Chessnoe handed us the keys at the 2011 National Corvette Museum Birthday Bash in Bowling Green, the car showed 77,500 miles on the clock. The GS was now equipped with Callaway/OZ Black Chrome wheels with Michelin 19/20 Pilot Sport 2 Zero Pressure tires ($6,150). It also had a prototype carbon-fiber spoiler and rocker moldings, which might become available as a future option. The new additions were a nice touch to the looks of this already striking car.

“Before we started our journey, we gave the Callaway a close inspection. It was hard to believe it had accumulated so many miles. The paint showed a few rock nicks on the front, but nothing major, and the rest of the finish looked new. The seats didn’t show wear, nor did the steering wheel or cargo compartment.

“During our first drive, we found that the car was tight except for some creaks in the removable roof panel. The six-speed manual transmission and short-throw shifter were rattle free and allowed for extremely quick, precise shifting. On a back road with no traffic, we hammered it through the gears. The 606hp engine pulled strongly to the redline, with no lag or flat spots. We drove a similar Callaway on the German Autobahn a few years ago, and it easily hit 200 mph. The handling was precise and capable in any type of corner. In short, the high mileage did not seem to have affected the car’s performance in the least. We departed Bowling Green and headed to our first stop in Knoxville, Tennessee, where we had arranged to spend the night with a fellow Corvette enthusiast.

“Retired GM Performance Division director John Heinricy hitched a ride with us to the Nashville airport, since it was on our route. Heinricy (shown) is an accomplished engineer and a multi-time SCCA National Championship winner, so we traded seats on one leg of the drive to get his opinion of the car. He really liked the prototype binders, calling them “Autobahn Brakes.” Heinricy is certainly qualified to apply the moniker, since he has tested plenty of cars on the German high-speed road (not to mention the Nürburgring).

“After we dropped Heinricy off, we had a chance to corroborate his brake assessment. The pedal provides instant response when pressure is applied, and stops are quick and smooth, with no drama or fade. This package has since become available as the Le Mans GT Brake System, and we’d consider it a must-have addition to any new Callaway Vette.

“Back on the highway, the GS just loafed along in Sixth gear, with the tach hovering around 1,800 rpm. One push on the throttle, however, provided an instant reminder of the monster residing under the hood. After a few stops along the way, we arrived at our headquarters in Tampa, where Editor Heath got his turn behind the wheel. He was similarly impressed with how tight, quick, and pleasant to drive this high-mileage car was.

“We then journeyed to Key West, and, 14 days and 3,000 miles later, we handed the key fob back to Chessnoe in Bowling Green. The car used no oil during its stay with us, and no cabin leaks could be discerned during a heavy rainstorm. We think the 606-horse GS still has a lot of good miles left in it.

“Callaway’s goal was to reach 100,000 miles at the 2011 Corvettes at Carlisle show, and it hit this target easily.” I (Bill) was there the day Chris turned the odometer over 100,000 miles, while doing a crazy burn-out.

“As of this writing, the car shows more than 120,000 miles and is still going strong. In conclusion, don’t worry about racking up the miles on your Callaway Corvette; it’s designed to handle it. What else would you expect from a company that builds ‘Powerfully Engineered Automobiles’?”

A lot of buzz has been tickling the virtual internet world about Chevrolet’s highly anticipated C7 Corvette.

A WINNER: This 1940 Packard, which is owned by Bob Goodwin, took home third place in Sunday’s third annual Bishop Hendricken High School Car Show.

Team MBR and George Matick Chevrolet yesterday revealed the graphic package for the Victory Red #46 Corvette for next week’s Rolex Series Chevrolet GRAND-AM 200 Race at Belle Isle during Detroit Grand Prix weekend on Belle Isle.

The dramatic new look enhances the overall appeal of the car, and should help in making it stand out from the crowd!  Compare the appearance to that of the car that ran in January’s race (shown below).

This is the first time – in anyone’s memory – that George Matick Chevrolet has had its arrow-themed logo appear on a race car, and excitement is high at the Redford, Michigan dealership! 

Final preparations of the car will be completed over the Memorial Day weekend, and it will then be delivered to the island on Tuesday, May 29.  Detroit Grand Prix organizers will then allow the vehicle to be unloaded on Thursday, in preparation for practice runs and qualifying on Friday.

As always, we are first to get you the complete list of current constrained items when ordering Corvettes from Chevrolet.

2013 Corvettes ordered this week will be built during the week of June 25th (no later than June 28, 2012).

There are no constraints on the ZR1.  However, there are still two constrained parts/items on non-ZR1s:

Q6B: 20 Spoke Chrome Aluminum Wheels: There is a material restriction from the manufacturer of this wheel, a matter they expect to see resolved within 4 weeks.

Z30: 60th Anniversary Stripe Package on Convertibles: There continues to be a short delay in the production of 60th Anniversary Corvette Convertibles with the Z30 Stripe Package. This is a material restriction, which they expect to be resolved within 4 weeks.

If you’re looking to custom order a new Corvette Coupe or Convertible, Grand Sport Coupe or Convertible, 427 Convertible, Z06, or ZR1, please look no further than right here at CorvetteBlog.com. We are uniquely positioned, with allocation, to provide you extremely aggressive quotes on purchasing or leasing the Corvette of your dreams. Simply leave a comment below (which will be kept private) or give us a call at (313) 531-7100 to learn more about how competitive we can be. We also offer nationwide shipping and delivery.  Call or write with your questions.

In a article by Jerry Burton, published in the special October 31, 2011 Chevrolet Centennial Celebration issue of Automotive News, a list of technologies introduced in the Corvette, beginning with the 1953 model, demonstrates the advanced thinking found in the Corvette.  These technologies include:

• Composite body panels: The first high-production application of fiberglass or glass-fiber reinforced plastic occurred on the Corvette. Composite bodies have been a trademark ever since.

• Fiberglass leaf springs: They debuted on the 1981 Corvette on the rear suspension, and were applied on the front suspension beginning in 1984. The fiberglass springs are stronger, lighter and take up less space.

• Fuel injection: The technology debuted on the 1957 Corvette. It provided more power and better fuel economy.

• Anti-lock brakes: The Corvette was one of the first American cars to feature standard four-wheel disc brakes (1965) and was also one of the first to feature anti-lock brakes (1986). In 1991, anti-lock brakes were integrated into the Corvette‘s traction control system.

• Stability control: One of the first mainstream applications of a stability control system occurred with the Active Handling System on the 1998 Corvette, which applied brakes to individual wheels.

• Tire pressure warning system: Since 1989, the Corvette has offered a sensor that continuously monitors the air pressure in each tire whenever the car is driven.

• Anti-theft system: In 1986, the Corvette offered one of the industry’s first systems to prevent theft. It featured a code embedded in the ignition key that prevented a thief from starting the car without the proper key.

• Hydroformed frames: Beginning with the fifth-generation Corvette, that debuted in 1997, all Corvettes feature a light but stiff hydroformed perimeter frame combined with a rigid center structure. The frame is formed by means of highly pressurized fluid and allows for superior handling without diminishing ride quality.

Read more here.

The cars nearly bankrupted him, but if Fred Gibb is known for anything among Chevrolet performance enthusiasts, it’s for convincing Chevrolet to fit the storied all-aluminum ZL1 427-cu.in. V-8 into a handful of Camaros, thus creating one of the fiercest and fastest cars on the dragstrip.